Stage names:

Ichikawa Monnosuke V
Ichikawa Shinsha I
Matsumoto Shichizô III
Iwai Kumetarô
Segawa Michitarô

Guild: Takinoya

Line number: GODAIME (V)

Poetry names: Fûsha, Shinsha

Existence:1821 ~ 12 September 1878

Connections:

Masters: Ichikawa Ebizô V, Matsumoto Kôshirô VI, Iwai Hanshirô V, Segawa Kikunojô V

Sons: Ichikawa Fusamaru, Ichikawa Benzô

Adopted son: Ichikawa Metora I

Career:

1821 ~ 1844: born in Edo. His father managed a restaurant in the district of Higashi-Ryôgoku. He started his career as a disciple of the actor Segawa Kikunojô V, who gave him the name of Segawa Michitarô. Later on, he joined the Iwai clan, becoming a disciple of Iwai Hanshirô V and performing under the name of Iwai Kumetarô. Following his master in a Kamigata tour, he met the young actor Matsumoto Kôshirô VI, who welcomed him as a disciple and gave him the name of Matsumoto Shichizô III.

1st lunar month of 1845: Matsumoto Shichizô III became disciple of Ichikawa Ebizô V and received the name of Ichikawa Shinsha I at the Kawarasakiza, performing in the drama "Sakigake Genji Soga no Tehajime".

Spring 1853: tour in Nagoya and Ise.

1st lunar month of 1860: the 1762 puppet drama "Kishi no Himematsu Kutsuwa Kagami" (commonly called "Kishi Hime") was adapted for the first time to Kabuki, in Edo at the Moritaza; it was integrated within the new year sogamono drama "Momo Chidori Nigiwai Soga" and Shinsha played the role of Iihara Hyôe's wife Fujimaki [casting].

2nd lunar month of 1867: premiere at the Ichimuraza of Kawatake Shinshichi II's new year sogamono "Keisei Soga Kuruwa Kagami", in which was premiered the drama "Oshizu Reiza"; Shinsha plays the roles of the Okushûya nyôbô Otami and Tokusai's daughter Otoku [more details].

2nd lunar month of 1870: Ichikawa Shinsha I took the name of Ichikawa Monnosuke V at the Ichimuraza, performing in the drama "Hôrai Soga Shima Monogatari".

March 1873: premiere at the Murayamaza of Kawatake Shinshichi II's drama "Taiko no Oto Chiyû Sanryaku"; Monnosuke played the role of Fushiya [casting].

May 1875: revival at the Kawarasakiza of Kawatake Shinshichi II's drama "Kusunoki-ryû Hanami no Makuhari", which was entitled "Hanamidoki Yui no Makuhari"; Monnosuke played the role of Marubashi Chûya's wife Osetsu [more details].

October 1875: premiere at the Nakamuraza and the Shinboriza of Takeshiba Kinsaku I's drama "Minori no Aki Seishô Denki"; Monnosuke played the role of Kajiya's nyôbô Ofuji [more details].

August ~ September 1878: he worked with his son Ichikawa Benzô for the reopening of the Ichimuraza but he suddenly fell ill and died the 12th of September 1878.

Comments:

Ichikawa Monnosuke V was a talented supporting actor, who played a major role in the transmission of the art and kata of the Bunka/Bunsei era to the Meiji rising stars. He was trained as a onnagata in the two most important Edo onnagata clans (Segawa and Iwai), and had the chance to share many stages in Kamigata with the actor Nakamura Tomijûrô II. He was specialized in spouse or fukeoyama roles, in sewamono or jidaimono dramas. In his latter years, he also performed tachiyaku roles. He was highly praised by the star Ichikawa Danjûrô IX.

Ichikawa Monnosuke V playing the role of Osetsu in the drama "Ura Omote Yanagi no Uchiwae", which was staged in August 1875 at the Nakamuraza (print made by Toyohara Kunichika)

Print made by Toyohara Kunichika

Print made by Utagawa Yoshitsuya in 1862

Print made by Utagawa Utagawa Toyokuni in 1864

The Matsumoto Shichizô line of actors

The Ichikawa Shinsha line of actors

The Ichikawa Monnosuke line of actors